Never a band to care for conventional wisdom or industry standards, Brisbane-based instrumental rock act Mr. Maps have limited this double A-side single – a teaser for their debut album, due later this year – to just 250 copies, and printed the cover on antique pianola paper to offer each payer a unique design. From the hammered-on clean guitar motif to the stomach-turning tempo changes and the subdued, cello-led midsection, the title track is immediately representative of the group’s vision and ability. ‘Nice Fights’ meanders organically, taking its time to unveil the beauty within.

The momentary pause toward the end of ‘Fly You Monumental Mistake’, however, is this EP’s dramatic apex. Everything before this point seems like padding for this money shot. In the one-second window that bucks the trend of streaming guitars and tumultuous drumming, Mr. Maps shine. It’s a masterful moment of inspiration by the band’s lead composer and guitarist, Chris Perren, and upon repeat listens it proves the most satisfying cut here.

Of the three bonus tracks, demos ‘Tennis Party’ and ‘Drummy’ offer a fascinating insight into the band’s creative progress. Both are produced by Perren and feature electronic drums in place of Jacob Hicks’ jaw-dropping live stickwork and computer sequencing, which replaces all instruments save for Perren’s guitar. Closing out the disc is ‘Namedropper’, which sounds like a hangover from their outstanding debut EP, last year’s Mimicry Of Lines & Light.

An ideal introduction for the uninitiated.

by Andrew McMillen